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Communication and Media Studies at University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,021/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #107 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication and Media Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$500K	$499K	$465K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.6x	19.6x	18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.6x	5.2x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	39

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$25,472

Out-of-state: $89,868 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,600

-67% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,148

5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,282

30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Central Florida's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $37,021/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,148 in median debt clears quickly against $37,021 in annual earnings.

At #107 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $37,021 to $48,282 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Central Florida

Admission to University of Central Florida is competitive, with 40% of applicants accepted, with 59,095 students enrolled in Orlando, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Central Florida →

Top Career Paths

Public relations managers $138,520/yr

Fundraising managers $123,480/yr

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Central Florida

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of Central Florida?

A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Communication and Media Studies careers?

With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $465,259 in decade earnings vs $499,886 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Central Florida's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #107 of 613 programs nationally, University of Central Florida lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →